Football at NMU still remains winless after Homecoming, as the team heads into their bye week looking to have a lot of reflecting to do.
The team opened up Homecoming weekend at the Dome against GLIAC rival Davenport, falling to the Panthers 16-35.
“You’re using it as a by-week, not an off week, you’ve got to try to get healthy. You’ve got to try to rest some guys and make sure that, you know, we can recharge mentally, emotionally, physically, kind of all the things. And still got to make sure that we’re still clean and going, you know, enough to where we stay sharp,” Head Coach Shane Richardson said.
The Wildcats were able to find a good rhythm during the game, but were unable to make it last the entire four quarters, only being down five points heading into the fourth quarter. In the end, Davenport was able to go down the field and score twice in the fourth quarter alone.
“I think you know, had some miscues, had some poor execution on a handful of plays is what really got us. You know, we’re going into the fourth quarter, down by five, still in it, still fighting, still trying to find a way, and all a sudden the momentum really shifted right there,” Coach Richardson said.
On the defensive side of the ball, Brady Redmer, senior defensive lineman, recorded one sack and one tackle in the game against Davenport. Junior Jake Price, fellow defensive lineman, came away with four tackles throughout the game. Finally, senior Jhermari Marby, another defensive lineman, ended the game with five tackles. Safety Tim Shannon Jr ended the game with six tackles.
Offensively, the Cats were able to run the ball well and far down the field. Running back Vince Martin, a sophomore, had four carries in the game for a total of 15 yards. Nico Lukkarinen, fellow running back, averaged three carries for 17 total yards. Jahi Wood brought in 28 yards for the Cats on 12 carries. Noah Dobert was all over the field for the Wildcats. In the backfield, Dobert had 23 carries for 156 yards. This performance by Dobert was complete with both of the Wildcats’ touchdowns and 27 yards of returned kicks on special teams.
“[Dobert] here were a couple of runs that he had where he really slipped through some tight windows and found some creases and some scenes and made some great cuts and, you know, he was running with some adrenaline and he was energized and we know what he’s capable of, and I think it was great to see that he finally was able to break out and show and be productive,” Coach Richardson said.
Quarterback Austin Ridl threw 15 completions for 39 yards. Davenport is just the start of conference play, as the Wildcats look ahead to GLIAC matchups the rest of the season.
“I think we have to continue to understand the growth that needs to take place, the hunger and the desire of just making sure that everything is as sharp and as crisp and clean in our preparation so that it can lead us to getting into those moments on Saturday where we’re able to take advantage of being able to score more points when we need to, being able to stop some of the big plays,” Coach Richardson said.
This weekend, the Wildcats are off as they prepare for the rest of the season, continuing with GLIAC Conference play on Oct. 4, where the Cats will travel to play Saginaw Valley State at 2pm. The next time to see the Wildcats play at home in the Superior Dome will be three weeks from now, as they will host long-time rival Grand Valley State (GVSU) on Oct. 11. Before the GVSU game, the Wildcats will honor the 1975 championship-winning team as it is the 50th anniversary.
